CORRECTED - UPDATE 1-Romania defence body backs F16 purchase plan

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(Corrects typo in Gripen, para 7)

BUCHAREST, March 23 (Reuters) - Romania’s Supreme Defence Council on Tuesday approved the acquisition of 24 second-hand F16 fighters produced by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) to modernise its air force.

“Taking into account that Romania does not have the needed financial resources to buy new ... planes, the Council okayed a defence ministry proposal to acquire 24 F16 used planes,” the council said in a statement.

It said the plan would be subject to parliament’s approval.

Romania is a U.S. ally and some analysts had said the F16 was a likely choice.

Five aircraft were in the running, and the cost of the deal has been estimated at over 4 billion euros.

Romania’s choices also included the F-18 from Boeing Co (BA.N), the Rafale from France’s Dassault (AVMD.PA), the Gripen from Sweden’s SAAB (SAABb.ST) and the Eurofighter from EADS EAD.PA. (Reporting by Radu Marinas; editing by Tim Pearce)